“I Want the World to Know Who I Was and Who I Am”
†Results vary depending on starting point and effort. John is an independent Beachbody Coach.
Meet John A. He lost 76 lbs with P90X, P90X3, and RevABs. He entered his results into The Beachbody Challenge, and won the $500 Daily Prize for July 22nd!
Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?
When I started the P90X and P90X3 programs I was tired of everything about myself. I was following the on again/off again approach to working out. I always had some sort of excuse on why I was out of shape be it money or convincing myself that my body just liked being at that weight (believe that one?). I was just suppose to be heavy. Most of the people in my family are on the heavier side. I’ve seen aunts and uncles battle trying to lose weight with no results, so I accepted that I was just going to have that body type. I hated it, to tell the truth. I have a low self esteem to begin with, and my being heavy didn’t help the issue. I needed a change.
What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
I’m going to give a shout out to my Beachbody Coach here because he helped me tremendously. Mike from Teamironman is a godsend. I found Mike probably a year before I seriously tried the program to my fullest ability. Mike became my Coach and encouraged me the entire time, but I wasn’t really listening. I always had some sort of excuse as to why I had to quit… my back was sore or I didn’t have the time… whatever the reason, he always helped me. Now, the reason I decided to give my all on April Fools Day 2013 is simple; I was sick of feeling the way I did about myself. Sick of looking like I did. Sick of making excuses on why I couldn’t be anything more than I was. I needed a change and that change had to start with me feeling better about who I was as a person. The Beachbody programs allowed me to do that.
What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody® help you overcome that challenge?
Enter my first day of P90X. The greatest challenge I faced was the negativity I received from my wife (and some other people). They would always tell me that working out was useless. A waste of time and money. I needed to understand that it was for me, not anyone else. It’s my health and my life that I’m trying to save here. So as the time passed by and the negativity grew less and less, people found other things to complain about, being that I wasn’t letting them influence me. I really started hitting it hard. This was another thing that my Coach helped with. He prepared me for the negativity. He helped me see that it’s not that people think I can’t do it. It’s because they can’t do it themselves so they try to drag down those who are be active. I saw a great post on Twitter and I think of it all the time. It says: “Obsession is a word the weak use to describe the Determined”.
What in particular did you like about the program you chose?
I like the variety of the discs. Tony Horton really broke it up and made everything fun. The time just passes away during the program. I would sweat my butt off and still want to do more. When I first started I really only liked the Cardio and Kenpo discs, but now I look forward to all of them…well, maybe not Legs and Back, not that I hate it but that one kills me. I like how Tony jokes around and keeps the atmosphere light while still delivering a complete workout. I think if he was totally serious and strict I would have quit the program. I still catch little comments that he makes and laugh. And now with doing the P90X3 program, I still find Tony Horton very amusing. He still delivers a top notch workout in half the time. I am currently doing various workouts off the BOD, but I am focusing on Rev Abs the most. That’s a great workout and always leaves me worn out but wanting more.
Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?
I’ve lost a over 75 pounds, I’m down many pant sizes, and my body is overall stronger and tighter. But I would have to say the biggest thing I gained and am most proud of is my confidence. I can’t say it enough. I used to shy away from people all the time because I felt so awful about how I looked. Not anymore. I have no problem talking to people or showing that I’m not just a fixture in the room. I put myself out there so everyone can hear me. See, this wasn’t just an improvement in looks but in me overall as a person. I’m not afraid to be wrong, to make mistakes. P90X and P90X3 helped me overcome my fears of being ridiculed. Now I want the world to know who I am. If this program can do this for me, it can help anyone.
How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
I love my life now. I look back and see how much of a negative person I was and don’t understand how I got there. Most of my life I was just a follower, I would do anything for anyone because I thought that was the only way to be and/or have friends. I let myself be stepped on for the longest time. Now, I’m not afraid to say “no” to people. And my friends are still there and they respect me more that I have a mind of my own than they did when I was a blind follower. I may not be the leader yet, but I like to think I’m at least second in command right now.
How did participating in a Challenge Group help you reach your goals? How did your group support you and keep you accountable?
My Coach set up a Facebook Challenge Group which I participated in back in August 2013. I originally was not going to join but last minute I figured “Why not? What can it hurt?” I am so glad that I choose to participate because I have made some great friends who are on the same journey as I am. We all kept each other accountable by posting our workouts and encouraging each other. The August group had challenges we all had to complete be it dietary or physical and we learned a lot from one another by doing these. The support I gained from this group was amazing. I am still friends with all the folks and some new ones. We still help each other out, and Mike still has our back.
How did your Team Beachbody® Coach support you on your journey?
Mike has been there for me from before I decided to commit (there’s that word again). I found him through Twitter and once I saw his website, I knew he was the Coach I needed. There was just something about him that I felt like I could connect with… not sure how to explain it better than that. I almost felt like I knew the person he explained himself to be in his biography, like he was really talking about me. When I contacted him about being my Coach he was more than helpful with getting it done. I receive emails from him and Facebook chats… and I know people who think he’s just doing it because it’s his “job” as a Coach, but I don’t get that vibe from him. He cares… genuinely cares about those he’s helping. And not everything is about fitness with Mike, he wants to know us, we’re more than his Groups… we’re friends… if I may be so bold, we’re like a family.
How did a Beachbody Supplement or Nutritional Product or Program (such as Shakeology® or Beachbody Ultimate Reset®) support your transformation? What are the greatest benefits you gained? Did you see benefits to your energy, sleep, mood/mental clarity, digestion/regularity?
Shakeology, simply put, is an amazing product. I started getting the Choco/Vanilla/Strawberry pack because I was unsure which flavor I would like. And now that I have tried them… I still have no idea, I love them all. Basically I have replaced my breakfast with Shakeology and it actually fills me up until lunchtime. Shakeology has helped me by providing all the nutrients I need with fewer calories. All in all, a great shake.
You can change your life, too. Take the Beachbody Challenge for the tools you need to Decide, Commit, and Succeed! Complete any Beachbody program, and enter your results for a free gift and a chance to win cash and prizes. 